ScholarWorks@UMassAmherst

On the evening of November 7, 2025, the University Libraries at the University of Massachusetts Amherst held its annual Fall Reception, attended by an audience of 300. “An Evening with Folk New England: A Tribute to Eric von Schmidt” represented both a return to the longstanding tradition of an event held to showcase the Libraries while thanking our donors for all they make possible and an exceptionally successful and memorable version of that event. Celebrating the partnership of Folk New England and the Libraries' Robert S. Cox Special Collections and University Archives Research Center, the event generated so much interest that it was ultimately moved to a larger venue, and the move impacted all aspects of the event. Although the planning team cannot count on replicating the event or its impact in the near future, the team took away many lessons from the planning and pivoting, as well as from the event itself.

Hurricanes (also called typhoons or cyclones) and other rare weather occurrences are increasing in intensity and frequency with global climate change. These extreme weather events can drastically alter ecosystems in ways that directly or indirectly facilitate the introduction, establishment, spread, and impacts of invasive species. For example, high winds or flood waters during hurricanes can disperse invasives and displace native species. Impacts could also occur after the main storm event; invasive species can invade during relief efforts or establish more easily in disturbed habitats [1,2]. Various possible mechanisms link hurricanes and invasive species (Figure 1). To identify shared challenges as well as region-specific dynamics and possible impacts, we highlight case studies from the Southeast, Pacific Islands, Caribbean, and Northeast regions of the United States (Table 1). By synthesizing examples across diverse ecological and management contexts, this summary can help practitioners anticipate common mechanisms of spread and consider strategies that could be implemented before and after hurricane events to manage vulnerable species, habitats, and ecosystems.